A Room to Inspire - The Living Room

As most of you who have read any of my previous blogs will be able to attest to, I am prone to lots of writing. So this time, I'm sharing a pictorial blog of inspiration. In fact, except for this paragraph and a pretty-please-buy-my-book paragraph at the end, I'm only going to use pictures and captions of a room which has inspired me. It's my living room and, as you might imagine, it has a lot of books in it. So here are some of the books and some of the decor that have helped inspire my writing.

There is something truly inspiring about trees in winter, and this picture
always makes me wonder where the bridge leads to and from. The other
picture was discovered in the loft of an East Yorkshire barn. It is clearly an
illustration of some kind, hand painted on a wooden panel, but I'm not sure
whose story it is telling (only it appears to be a 17th century one).

An 18th Century hand-coloured engraving of Captain Cook landing at
Tanna hangs over our little bookcase.

A picture which fascinates me. At first glance it is understated in
mediocrity, but the closer you look, the more you are drawn in.

Proud sister moment here - no apologies!

A selection of books, some of which were my Granddad's when he
was a child, and my copy of The Three Musketeers, one of my
absolute favourite books!

Elinor's notebook. A unique and greatly treasured find from an
auction. This is a sketchbook from the early 20th century of a
girl who illustrated day-to-day life and stories she loved.

My Great-Granddad's pipe and a tobacco tin. This is not his
tobacco tin, but it fits nicely with his pipe. The care and
affection that this object inspires is incorporated in "To Reason Why",
my novel set during the Crimean War.

Antique Belgian tapestry, depicting a desert scene, hangs over the fireplace.
These were produced on industrial looms, but there are now few of them left.

A plaque commemorating the little known
"Battle of Flamborough Head" in 1779.
My great-great-great-great-grandfather
(quite a way back!) was the coastguard there.

A statue of General Napier which we bought for a pittance
at auction after he failed to sell for several weeks. He was
then incorporated into my novel (it is at his house where
the two balls are held). Behind him is a stick with an
'orse's 'ead 'andle, a reference to Marriott Edgar's Albert.

An old tea chest whose three panels were painted by Holly.
It is now full of antique music.

One of a pair of double handed vases. Not being terribly
conventional they are on completely different shelves.

A tankard in the style of a Toby Jug. This was a gift to Dad, because
it looks like him! He hates boats, though, so the fisherman part
doesn't work quite as well as the beard!

My Dad's dad, who I never knew, and the calendar
our lovely German friend made for us.

A German chalice, gifted to Judith from her friend, and a skilfully
repaired figurine stand on one of the poetry shelves. Not sure how
the Gibbons's stamp books sneaked on there...

A pair of elephants which my parents bought for each other. This is as
close to symmetry as our house comes, and the tusks are deliberately
not matching. On the shelf above is my great-great-grandmother's moneybox
in the shape of a house. There is something which rattles in there, but I
don't want to open it to find out what. I like the mystery.

The runic grave marker, and assorted Harry Potter books.

"Easter Island Dad" created by Alex

The second deer vase in front of my university books.

A hand painted bud vase by Clemency in front of two series of
books which inspired me as a child.

A Scunthorpe tankard. A random find, but topical
for Dad who grew up there.

A fairing - a prize given out at travelling fairs in the days before
teddy bears and neon bracelets. Much cuter, I think.

Mum's Great-Grandmother and her children, At the extreme left of the
picture is a nursing chair which is now upstairs in our house.  At the time this photograph was
taken, the father, Reuben Temperton, was fighting in the Boer War with the Lincolnshire Regiment.

A Ukrainian folk doll bought at the Nuremberg Christmas Market
and a rose-entwined horseshoe made by Judith.

A candle holder with a fairy tale theme in front of
a collection of German books

Another vase on the railway shelf, with another uncomplicated
scene depicted. Creeping into the shot is a red panda snow globe -
we're proud adopters of the red pandas at the Highland Wildlife Park.

Signed edition of Alfred Gilbert's book, complete with a working sketch.
Gilbert is most famous for creating the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountian
(more often known as Eros) in Piccadilly Circus.

A 19th Century collection of Sir Walter Scott's Waverley Novels.

Winter landscape of a country road, beehives
in shady summer glow, and the market square of
Weissenburg where I visited in 2013

A collection of antique stamps from across the world.
This selection was also bought at auction.

So many of these little things - and there are a lot more I haven't pictured! - which seem insignificant on their own, have inspired my writing. Some are more easy to follow than others, sometimes it is an emotion, sometimes an actual object, but they have come together to create a room in which I love to write. I love having objects that relate back to the time I write about. Being able to handle antiques, whether they are worth pennies or pounds, can transfer me back in time as easily (and far more safely!) as the Tardis!

Want to see what these inspired? Find it here for eBook or here in paperback.
#ShareTheAdventure

As the Dust Settles... The Next Stage

The evening is closing in and the dust is settling on the momentous events of the Day’s Dying Glory book launches. Last night, in Orkney, we hosted the final event and from now on it will be word of mouth, reviews, and the astoundingly eye-catching front cover which will sell my book. But what a range of events they have been!

The book to look for!

From Barton-upon-Humber, with its lavish opening - the Duckegg performances; the stunning cake – through the inspirational Library of Innerpeffray – where the sense of history through and beyond the setting of the novel was perfect – to the fun launch in Orkney – creating some of the book’s characters as the readers perceived them - each one will have a special place in my heart. But to all of you who attended any of the events: thank you! And to all of you who have encouraged and supported the book: thank you! I’ve had such positive comments from people I would never have known had it not been for this book and I am really enjoying encountering my readers.

If you’ve read the book, please review it on Amazon, Goodreads or both. I am so proud of the comments I’ve received so far, I’d love to share them with the world! Here are a couple of snippets from some of the reviews:

“It is a very good read, with a very unpredictable and gripping story line.”

“I could really identify with each of the main characters and the development of each was very well thought out. I would definitely recommend the book…”

“It is a really gripping plot as well. Part of me was expecting a run-of-the-mill romance novel but the unexpected twists and turns got my heart thumping in suspense and the book can get quite dark and gritty after a seemingly peaceful beginning.”

“To say this book is a romance is probably underselling it a little bit. In many ways, it is an adventure story: just the kind of adventures that the average person can accidentally find themselves in!”

“Loved the building of the characters and the descriptions of places and people put images in my mind of how it must have been like back then…”

They can’t all be wrong!

#ShareTheAdventure

And here are a couple of pictures from the different launches. Thanks for reading!

Duckegg Performance - Barton Book Launch

Colonel Sir James Shorefield -
Orkney Book Launch

Setting up for the Orkney Book Launch

My book and I were right at home!
- Innerpeffray Library Book Launch

The Book Launch Cake by Linda Lawcock
- Barton Book Launch

One of the Tartan At Heart
Day's Dying Glory Range

Mr Dermot - Orkney Book Launch

Arabella Tenterchilt -
Orkney Book Launch

Couldn't resist a photo-shoot!
- Library of Innerpeffray Book Launch

A Holiday Unlike Any Other

There’s a scene towards the end of The Return of the King when the hobbits have returned to The Shire and everyone is in the tavern, oblivious to the fact that anything life-changing has happened.  Leaving aside the fact that this was not at all like the book, it is the silence and expressions of these four characters which mirror my own.

Dunalastair Estate of Outlander fame
and our destination for Easter

Usually, after a two-week holiday, I grumble a little bit about where the time has gone and bemoan the fact that I’ve wasted it.  I never really did outgrow that.  This time, though, I don’t know how I’ve fitted it all in.  I’ve clocked up over 2000 miles on the road, visited one of my stomping grounds, and discovered riches and ruins of Highland Perthshire.  But it’s not that which left me in a confused limbo between worlds.  I became a published author.

My new book with hundreds of its ancestors

at Innerpeffray Library

After travelling back home to the far north of Scotland, I wandered around my local Tesco with a feeling and expression akin to those four hobbits.  No one in the shop knew – or cared – about the whirlwind adventure I’d been on.  But certainly, I feel I’ve accomplished a great thing.

It’s frightening putting yourself out there.  After all, your soul must leach onto the page a little bit to create a story which is worth sharing.  I’ve been performing since my age was in single figures, sometimes even for local or international dignitaries, but I’d never been as scared as I was standing in front of people and reading my own text to them.  I really felt I was baring my soul, and not just to the people who were at the book launch events, but to the whole world.

Thankfully, at my first event, the Duckegg Theatre Company were there to enact some of the scenes.  And what an amazing job they made of it!  [Full videos are on the Facebook page]

The second event had a much more intimate setting in the beautiful hidden gem of Innerpeffray Library, an historical venue, perfect for the book launch.

An author in her natural habitat: A library!

You can read the blog about the two launches here.

Why have I told you all this?  Well, to say thank you, really.  This thing which passed so many people by in silence and obscurity has meant a great deal to me.  So, to you who have discovered this blog; have read the book; have attended and even performed at the launch events: Thank you.  It may not seem like a big thing, but it’s the world to me.

Taken from your words written in the guestbook.

The book is here in paperback and here in ebook format.  And here’s a section to whet your appetite:

CHAPTER FOUR

Sunday 7th September 1806

Summer in Petrovia Lodge lacked the exciting comings and goings of London, but it was far from dull. The company of the three sisters had improved immensely and they now spent every moment laughing over things that occurred and celebrating the long summer days. The gypsies had moved on now leaving, as usual, gifts for the family in exchange for the permission to reside on their land. The usual gifts of wooden pegs and finely carved figures of animals were left by the river, but in addition Madame Kerina paid a visit up to the house. It was the eve of their departure and she walked up the lawn, calling out in a strange language and in a loud voice so that the five inhabitants of the lodge rushed out to see what it was. She walked up to Arabella and tied a soft red ribbon about her neck.

‘I have seen a child on the lawns of Petrovia Lodge. Do not wear the black of mourning for long, my dear. I hear wedding bells ringing, with laughter but a taste of sorrow.’

‘Wedding bells?’ Arabella whispered, hardly daring to believe the witch who stood before her, yet desperate to do so.

Madame Kerina did not speak again but hobbled away back to the settlement of caravans. Each of the women looked down at the ribbon around Arabella’s neck and, as one, her sisters began congratulating her as though it never occurred to them that the divination may have been incorrect.

September made its appearance in its usual golden way while summer clawed at the earth, doing everything it could to maintain its hold. The fruits of the trees by the river shone as they grew and, where edible, the girls walked down each day to collect them.

‘Nothing tastes so good as a freshly picked apple,’ Catherine announced as she bit into one.

‘We are meant to be taking them back up to the lodge, Cat,’ Imogen replied. ‘We’re already behind with this, and we stand no chance of getting to the top of the trees as Hamish used to.’

‘I can get to the top,’ Catherine replied fearlessly, gripping the apple she was eating firmly in her teeth and commencing the climbing of the tree.

‘You know you should not compare Cat to any man, she has to beat them.’ Arabella looked up as Catherine called down.

‘A messenger! I think we have a letter!’

"Why Do You Write?"

When I was asked to answer the question "why do you write?" I didn't know it would come at a time when giving an answer would be so poignant.

For as long as I can remember I've had a stalwart audience of two.  Long before thoughts of Day's Dying Glory even came into existence I had days of sitting alongside two of my sisters, all of us writing, and in the evening we would take it in turns to read out each other's work.  These were (rather unimaginatively!) entitled "Story Days".  And these two were my audience.  We were like an exclusive book club.

A Story Day cocktail with a questionable name

It was not first my idea to publish my writing; nor second.  And that's why I'm doing it.  For the first time, I've had other people encouraging me to offer my literature to a wider audience.  And, from my own point of view, nothing means more.

This is all rather upbeat, so why did I say this question had come at a poignant time?  Because I'm questioning why I'm bothering, and I haven't had cause to question it since I began the journey into Historical Fiction writing.  Sure, I had my fair share of rejection letters - although only one that was verging on rude in its dismissal - but you read almost any published author's memoirs and they had to deal with the same thing.  I've even had criticism from a reader that the book stretches the bounds of believability.  But that's fine - the reader still loved the book and is looking forward to attending its launch.  But to raise money for the book launch I started a Crowdfunder campaign.  I theorised that, should each of my friends, and a handful of interested parties, throw a fiver into the pot, I'd easily make the target.  They didn't.

The complicated maze of sibling legs

So, failure on the horizon?

Well, no actually.  I didn't start this journey with the hope of becoming a bestselling author.  I didn't even want to make money on it.  I have a fantastic story to tell.  A story which encompasses all aspects of humanity.  All I've wanted to do, from the word go, is share that story.

So this one's for you, Readers - you really are the ones that matter the most.  Thanks - I hope you like it.
[Actually, it's technically for my Dad.  It's the only piece of my writing he's ever read, and I think he enjoyed it!]

Me with Judith and Clemency at the Flows Lookout

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"Edinburgh" or "Why Inspiration Does Not Need To Be Pretty"

I've just returned from a weekend in Edinburgh, a city I have not properly visited since I was 11 -*cough* years ago.

City Skyline from The Rooftop Terrace
at The National Museum of Scotland

Our itinerary was simple: The National Museum of Scotland, The Camera Obscura, The National Museum of Scotland, The Real Mary King's Close, The National Museum of Scotland, Greyfriar's Kirkyard, and The National Library of Scotland.  Oh, and did I mention The National Museum of Scotland.

City Skyline from the top of
The Camera Obscura

You might wonder what this has to do with writing.  I'll try and explain.  Edinburgh has inspired some amazing books, and not just recently either.  My tour guide (my sister, Judith!) explained how Deacon Brodie had inspired the writing of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, while my other guide (another sister who is an Edinburgh resident) pointed out the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.  I hoped to tap in to a little bit of this age-old inspiration.

The Coffin Dolls
(picture by Judith)

The Window on the World at
The National Museum of Scotland

A Sabre-Toothed Tiger at
The National Museum of Scotland

To appease my slight obsession with Lord Byron we visited the John Murray Archive exhibition in the National Library of Scotland, conveniently a two minute walk from The National Museum of Scotland where (as you may have guessed!) we spent a lot of time.  But there was stacks of inspiration to be had here.  Judith loves the mystery and intrigue surrounding the Coffin Dolls (pictured above), a set of miniature figures resting in tiny boxes decorated as coffins.  The Real Mary King's Close has a story to every room, even those that seem empty, and they're all stories worth telling.

My head on a platter
(picture by Judith)

Jaw Dropping at
The Camera Obscura

Judith's dream come true!

Walking through The Camera Obscura is like stepping into the pages of a fairytale, where everything is real but nothing is true, while Greyfriar's Kirkyard, with its new herb gardens, is a world away from the chaos of city life outside its gates.  The old city wall splits the kirkyard in two as it weaves through the elaborate and heartfelt memorials that have been erected upon or against it.

The Ensign who took an eagle
and changed a crest

My Gingerbread Bear at
The Hub

I'll be honest with you though. Edinburgh is not my sort of city.  Litter was drifting through the streets, bins were overflowing, and there seems to be a tradition of disposing of cigarette ends between the cobbles.  Despite my initial misgivings these fantastic establishments, in a city which scarcely matched their devotion and fervour, brought life to the streets of our capital.  I think it was Anthony Burgess who first used the phrase "All Human Life is Here" and it's the echo of that, calling down through the ages, which sparks a flicker and fans the furnace of Edinburgh as an inspirational city.

Incidentally, these were amongst my favourite finds:

 

These all relate to Sir David Baird, a man whose need for justice (or revenge) knew no limits.  The Storming of Seringapatam is the twentieth instalment of Beneath Black Clouds And White - the prequel to Day's Dying Glory - currently serialised on Channillo.

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